Hacking Confidence

Bethmist

New User
Joined
30 August 2008
Messages
7
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
Hi,
Sorry if this is in the wrong section- I'm confused by a new forum
crazy.gif

Anyway, a month ago I had a nasty incident whilst out hacking with my friend. At the time I thought I was fine and hadn't lost any confidence, a few days later rode in a school and it was fine- although my canter was shockingly bad
blush.gif
A couple of weeks later I went on holiday and went trekking, whilst out on the trek I was terrified, mainly during road work but when the leader was failing to do a decent job of leading the trek and leaving us all in the middle of the road whilst she had many failed attempts at mounting her horse
mad.gif
Some people and horses started panicking and so did I. When we got to the moors it was canter time, I was quite nervous in canter because of what happened originally but i thought I'd be fine- nope my saddle slipped round and I ended up kneeling bareback on a cantering horse so did an awkward dismount int canter and managed to slow her down lol.
anyway for the rest of the trek I was really scared and thought something bad was going to happen
blush.gif

Now I'm worried I'll never get my confidence back
frown.gif
Is there anything I can do to help me get it back?
 
Actually I think you should be applying for jobs as a stunt rider - well done you. I'm sure in a similar situation I'd have ended up on the floor a lot sooner!

I'm not sure from what you say whether the incident you had was on your own horse or not. If not, I'd just say be careful where you ride while you build up your confidence. Some riding schools and treking centres are a bit dodgy, so maybe stick to ones that are recommended for now (hard when you don't know the area, but I'm sure if you post on here for suggestions people would be happy to help).

If you were riding your own, or a regular ride, I'd say just take things slowly and do what you feel comfortable with to get your confidence back.
I came off my horse out hacking a couple of years ago and I was really surprised how much it dented my confidence. It took quite a while to get over, but I got there eventually. If you don't feel comfortable doing something and you can avoid it, then don't do it. I've gone from being on the point of selling my horse, to being happy and relaxed hacking out again, so it can be done. Just take your time and listen to your instincts.
Good luck x
 
Thanks
smile.gif

I'm not lucky enough to own my own horse yet (have only been riding for about a year
blush.gif
)
I was thinking of booking a hack at my RS I go to but I'd feel stupid if I got scared
blush.gif


Trust me, the first thing that happened was no impressive stunt, i slid ungracefully off a bucking and cantering horse onto the only stony patch around
blush.gif
 
I 100% lost my confidence about 18 months ago. To the extent that i bought a new horse, and spent several weeks just grooming it. I looked at him in his stable and felt sick and cried. I felt i would never ride and enjoy him.

I got someone to ride him for me in the field while i watched. They then made me ride him back up to the barn. Eughh, it was scary, but i did it
grin.gif

Then i asked them to hack him out, i met them on the country park and watched them ride him in a big open space.
Then i hacked out with them, me on my boy and them beside me. Had large amounts of rescue remedy, and felt ill all the way round.
Take baby steps and feel good at every hurdle you cross
smirk.gif


Next step was a Paul Mckenna confidence CD, and lots more rescue remedy
blush.gif

Before i knew it i was sorted. But every little spook or paddy had me back to square 1
confused.gif
Until finally i am cured
laugh.gif

Keep going, i did and slowly but surely it WILL return
tongue.gif

Good luck xx

By the way, where abouts in derbys are you??
 
I think its really easy to get a bit nervous whilst trekking on a new horse on holiday-you're in a completely unfamiliar area so I would try not to beat yourself up too much about it. Most rides I've done whilst on holiday have usually gone wrong at some point-mainly because they take quite large groups out, or put people on nappy or headshaking horses which can only add to your nerves, or horses that aren't used to big lorries-the list goes on!

I fell off quite a few times with my mare and each time really knocked my confidence, but now with her new loaner she rarely plays up-so I can only assume we were mismatched in that department. I don't think I was tough enough with her either if she used to mess around. I tried loads of things-rescue remedy, confident rider cds, calming supplements for my horse, thought field therapy which made me feel amazingly confident at first, but then a few months later I fell off again whilst hacking and just felt completely back to square one. The best thing that I found was hacking out with another horse. Even though I loved just going out by myself, I felt a lot safer if someone was with me. Good luck, and I really hope your confidence returns, I'm sure it will.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks
smile.gif

I'm not lucky enough to own my own horse yet (have only been riding for about a year
blush.gif
)
I was thinking of booking a hack at my RS I go to but I'd feel stupid if I got scared
blush.gif


Trust me, the first thing that happened was no impressive stunt, i slid ungracefully off a bucking and cantering horse onto the only stony patch around
blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]


My old yard was a riding school and I used to help them out sometimes by taking hacks out when they were busy.
We never had any problem with people explaining that they were nervous - no-one will think you are stupid. If you explain that you've had a couple of bad experiences they will be able to find the right horse and the right group for you to hack out with. Any decent riding school will be very sympathetic and helpful as they will deal with situations like yours often.

Go for it and let us know how you get on!
 
I know how you feel, my last horse was a nightmare and I ended up not being able to ride him so I sold him. It sounds as though you have been incredibly unlucky recently and I agree that you should go back to the beginning and take baby steps. I had a bit of a confidence crisis recently as I had moved my boy and he got a bit silly which is unusual for him. Anyway he has settled now and we are pretty much back to normal. I'm sure you will get over this xx
 
Top